A/ProfStephen Wearing

Associate Professor Stephen Wearing is Adjunct Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Over his 25-year career at UTS, he has also been a Visiting Fellow at several universities, including Wageningen University, Netherlands, Newcastle University, Australia, and Macquarie University, Australia. Associate Professor Wearing has been recognised by both industry and government for his contributions to the fields of leisure and tourism. Notably, he received the Frank Stewart Award in 2007 for his significant contributions to the parks and leisure industry, and in 1992, he was honoured by the Costa Rican Government for his services to youth, conservation, and community.

His excellence in teaching has been acknowledged with several awards, including the Peak Teaching Award, an Australian Teaching and Learning Council Teaching Award in 2008, and the UTS Excellence in Teaching Award in 2000. He has also received special mentions for his teaching at the World Leisure and Tourism International Centre of Excellence (WICE) and the Australian Conservation Training Institute (ACTI).

Associate Professor Wearing is deeply engaged with the community, having served as Chair and Advisor to the Board of Youth Challenge Australia (YCA) for 17 years and as a Board Member of the Kokoda Track Foundation for 3 years. He has also been involved in various steering committees for the Sustainable Tourism CRC, WICE, and IUCN. He is a Fellow and Life Member of Parks and Leisure Australasia and has been the editor of the Parks and Leisure Australasia Journal for 12 years. Associate Professor Wearing has authored 10 books in the field of leisure and tourism, over 50 peer refereed papers, and numerous industry-based articles.

Professional Activity

2007: Tourism Taskforce Australia (TTF) Corporate Leadership Awards - Special Judges’ Award for Innovation. This award recognised UTS’s Youth Challenge Australia program as an outstanding example of innovation, encouraging tourism volunteers to work on grassroots development projects in regional and remote towns in the Northern Territory. TTF Australia is the peak industry group for the tourism, transport, and infrastructure sectors.

2007: The Parks and Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence - Frank Stewart Award. This prestigious award is the highest recognition in the profession, given to an individual who has provided exceptional service over an extensive period to both the professional association and the parks and leisure industry. The award is named after Frank Stewart, the first Federal Government Minister of Recreation, who demonstrated an excellent understanding of community values and principles. The judging criteria include a high standard of professional and outstanding leadership within the parks and leisure industry for a minimum of five years. Associate Professor Wearing received this award, including Honorary Life Membership.